Former School District employee pleads guilty to fraud

Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 10:50 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 10:50 a.m.

A veteran employee of the Marion County School District pleaded guilty to fraud on Thursday, which could put her behind bars for up to five years.

Brandy Renee Guynn, 39, is charged with third-degree organized fraud for taking a total of $15,758.07 between July 1 and Sept. 21, 2012. At the time, she worked downtown at the district office in the finance department. In her capacity she received money from various school collections, including fitness and instructional classes and employee services.

On Oct. 5, police responded to an embezzlement complaint at the office. Guynn's supervisor had noticed a discrepancy in her work; later, at the superintendant's request, an independent audit was conducted.

The audit showed that when Guynn received payments, she would deposit the checks but not the cash. Certain receipts also were missing.

According to court records, Guynn had been "flagged" for a July incident after a discrepancy was found relating to an account she had managed. Guynn was arrested on Oct. 17.

Guynn's attorney, Carrie Proctor, asked Circuit Judge Hale Stancil to sentence her client to four years of probation, given that Guynn had no prior run-ins with the law.

"I'll consider the good things you've done. I'll also consider the bad things you've done," Stancil said. He said Guynn would probably be sentenced, at a later date, to probation and some time in jail.

<p>A veteran employee of the Marion County School District pleaded guilty to fraud on Thursday, which could put her behind bars for up to five years.</p><p>Brandy Renee Guynn, 39, is charged with third-degree organized fraud for taking a total of $15,758.07 between July 1 and Sept. 21, 2012. At the time, she worked downtown at the district office in the finance department. In her capacity she received money from various school collections, including fitness and instructional classes and employee services.</p><p>On Oct. 5, police responded to an embezzlement complaint at the office. Guynn's supervisor had noticed a discrepancy in her work; later, at the superintendant's request, an independent audit was conducted.</p><p>The audit showed that when Guynn received payments, she would deposit the checks but not the cash. Certain receipts also were missing.</p><p>According to court records, Guynn had been "flagged" for a July incident after a discrepancy was found relating to an account she had managed. Guynn was arrested on Oct. 17.</p><p>Guynn's attorney, Carrie Proctor, asked Circuit Judge Hale Stancil to sentence her client to four years of probation, given that Guynn had no prior run-ins with the law.</p><p>"I'll consider the good things you've done. I'll also consider the bad things you've done," Stancil said. He said Guynn would probably be sentenced, at a later date, to probation and some time in jail.</p><p><i>Contact April Warren at 867-4065 or April.Warren@ocala.com.</i></p>